Fantabulous Etsy Shops - Check Them Out!!

As most of you know, I have recently opened my Etsy shop! Yay! Go me! 

As most of you know, I am super-de-duper excited about it! I've been getting a lot of hits and views on my store but have not yet received any sales. 

However, I am waiting patiently and shamelessly self promoting. Everything. I am tweeting, Facebooking and pinning. I know people are probably sick of seeing my tweets about everything new little thing in my Etsy shop but I really just don't know how to do it any other way. I also have ads running on Etsy. 

Today is going to be different, at least on my blog, because today I am shamelessly promoting some awesome shops that I've come across on my travels around the handmadetopia that is Etsy. 

The first shop that has some really interesting jewelry is GlassRiverJewelry. 

I have never, ever, ever, ever seen jewelry like this! The colors are so vibrant and the lampwork beads are so unique! The photos are from her Etsy shop directly.

 Teal Rose Earrings

Pink Rose Earrings

The second shop that I absolutely adore is JulemiJewelry because of the fantastic stacking bracelets she makes! Personally, I think they are cute than Alex and Ani but that's just my opinion! One of these days, I'm going to order some of her work! I've tried to make these types of bracelets and it's just not something that I can do. I find these types of bracelets very difficult to make. I just can't seem to get it. So, kudos to her! Photos are directly from her Etsy shop!

Tree of Life Bangle

Anchor Expandable Bracelet

Pink Tourmaline Bead Wire Bracelet

Another shop that I find really creative is CiarraiStudios. This shop carries handmade jewelry that features some of the best literary works ever written! 

CS Lewis Narnia Tea Necklace

Wuthering Heights Quote Ring

Mad Hatter Tea Party Necklace

I hope you stop by these shops and support the handmade community! These shops, including mine, take heart and soul. We love everything we do and we want you to love it, too!

...until next time...

-Sam

Things, they are a' changin'.

If you like my Facebook page and follow my Pinterest and Twitter, some of you may have noticed that I deleted my Selz.com store, changed my profile photos and opened and Etsty store!! 

I AM SO EXCITED!!

Slowly, a little bit everyday, I am updating everything so that it coordinates with one another. 

New colors, patterns (mainly doilies) and fonts! I am so in love with mint greens and teals right now - take a look at my Twitter page, it shows. 

Hopefully, in the near future, I can really start to update this blog look. Ugh! I hate it. It will be a' changin' just like everything else. 

Please, please, please take a look at my Etsy and maybe even buy yourself something fun and pretty!

You can find my Etsy store HERE and like I said before new things are always being added!

Vinyl Decal Madness!!!!

Hey there!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July yesterday, but with the 3 day weekend, it didn't just end when the fireworks were over. People are still partying it up all weekend! I have another cookout to go to tonight!

In other news, I have been designing decals like a mad woman! I just wanted you to see what I've been up to and give you the opportunity to purchase a decal made by me!

Y'all w/ Cowboy Boot

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Monogram Flower

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Police Wife? This decal is meant for you and it looks adorable when applied to your window!

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Boxers. They're cute. 

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This decal is part of a series of i______ statements that include hobbies and careers. They are being added all the time and if you have any ideas of a decal you would like to see, let me know!

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Express yourself with a decal and liven up your car window a bit!

...until next time...

-Sam

 

5 Very Awesome Memory Wire Bracelets by Yours Truly

In my last post I shared some pictures made by some bead crazy people. If you didn't see that post, click here, to visit. You'll enjoy it. There are some beautiful pieces that were featured and links are available for most of the photos so you can take a look at what they have to offer.

Today, I will be sharing some of my beaded bracelets that I've made over the past month. Some of the bracelets that I'm showing you have already been sold. So, if you are interested in a particular color, just let me know and I will make something similar for you!

Here we go!

1. 

I like to call this one "Escape." I love the cool color scheme of the blues, greens and browns. It reminds me of being by the lake or ocean. This bracelet is sold but a similar can be made.

2.

This one is one of my faves. The green, black and orange go really well together. This bracelet is sold. 

3.

Who doesn't like purple? This one is called "Serenity." Ahhh, calming. This bracelet is available.

4. 

By far, this is my favorite!! Absolute favorite!! I have to say that ruffling the ribbon is somewhat of a pain in the butt, but by looking at the final product, it is so worth it! I plan on making these in different colors! This bracelet is available.

5. 

White is so clean and crisp and goes with just about anything. This bracelet features pearls, seed beads in white and clear and also larger specialty beads. If you would like to have one like this let me know. I can make something similar. The bracelet pictured is sold. 

Welp, that all folks! I hope you enjoyed seeing the bracelets that I've made. If you would like to have a memory wire bracelet made - please let me know! You can Facebook me or email me at justdarlincards@yahoo.com!

...until next time...

-Sam

10 Simply Amazing Beading Pictures

So, my new thing is beading. I love making memory wire bracelets and I will have another post to share my work and favorite bracelets that I've done.

Today, I just wanted to share some projects that I've stumbled upon online by some other fantastic crafters and bead lovers!

1.

{source: LTreatDesigns}

2. 

{source: StoneStreetStudio}

3.

{source: Torn Edge Studios}

This company is local and I love the work done here! So unique and colorful!

4. 

{source: whybecause}

5. 

{source: strandsofgrace}

6. 

{source: ?}

I don't think this is handmade but it's beautiful!!

7. 

{source: ?}

I found this on Pinterest but there's no link back. How cute is the ribbon mixed with the beading?!

8. 

{source: SillyOldSuitcase)

9. 

{source: TheVictorianGarden}

10. 

{source: SarahDekkerDesigns}

Thanks for looking and I'll be sharing some of my beaded bracelets soon! 

...until next time...

-Sam

New Found Love

Remember when you were a kid in computer class and the only font that you wanted to use on your school project was Comic Sans? It was sooooo cool. Remember seeing all those weird fonts at the bottom of the font listing called "Webdings" on Microsoft Word? I always thought those Webding things were kinda weird. I always thought that I would never use them. 

Let's fast forward about 15 years. 

Comic Sans is the most horrible font in the world. I don't like it. It's overused and looks like something your teacher used on handouts when you were in elementary school. You know the handouts I'm talking about. The ones that were given to you for homework that taught you your multiplication tables and spelling words. Your teacher would hand it back with a "GOOD JOB" sticker (I was always hoping for the scratch and sniff stickers. Those were awesome.) and her perfect cursive handwriting in red ink. 

Aaaaanyway...

Word to the wise - JUST SAY NO TO COMIC SANS. There are a TON of beautiful fonts out there for you to use for your DIY wedding invites and office memos. I have a whole board of fonts called "WHAT THE FONT??!!" on my Pinterest page. See below or click the link.

Follow Samantha's board What the Font??!! on Pinterest.

Little did I know in my computer class that Webdings are generically called Dingbats. These little images are a blessing when using your Silhouette cameo. You don't have to find one single image, trace it, modify it, blah blah blah. You just type a letter and Mickey Mouse will show up or a gun or Hello Kitty or smiley faces or scripty, flourishy things. The list is endless as long as you can find the font for the image that you are looking for. There are fonts for just dinosaur images, helicopter images, flower images. They are awesome when cutting vinyl decals. These Dingbats are my new found love.

These state decals that I made are from a Dingbat font called Stateface. It's pretty nifty and all the states are available.

  

The little gun is also a Dingbat font called 2nd Amendment.

These decals can be purchased in my online store.

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I hope you enjoy using Dingbats. They are really fun and really easy to use!

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

...until next time...

-Sam

NOW INTRODUCING...

...my NEW ONLINE STORE!

I have some exciting news! If you keep up with me on Facebook and every other form of social media, you probably already know that I opened an online shop. 

SO! EXCITED!

I've been sharing on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and now here! I'm everywhere! I've also included links on some of the gallery photos on my "real" website. You can also view my store directly from my blog. Linked up and ready to sell. I'm really trying to make this hobby into something. 

Excited! See?

I've also joined the professional network of LinkedIn - trying to get some connections and exposure. I have to say that website is somewhat confusing.

However, for as much as I've been sharing and linking, the sales haven't happened. 

Nada. Zilch. Zero. No way, Jose. 

SO. DISCOURAGED.

Ruff is right.

I've been sharing on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and now here! I'm everywhere! Right?! I just can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong. 

I know it's only been a week but I want instant results. Instant gratification. Right now.

I'm just kind of at a loss. I don't know what else to do. Any ideas on what I can do better or maybe stop doing? I would love some help. 

If I'm asking for help I must be desperate.

Pity party over. I will prevail and succeed and try and persevere!

Now, on to other things like a new product...

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NOW INTRODUCING

(drum roll please)

CHILD SIZED BUTTON BRACELETS

TA-DA!

Cute, right? You like? Each child bracelet is about 5" in length width and adjustable toggle closure. Now, your little girl can match mommy with her very own bracelet! I've noticed while doing craft shows that little girls are obviously more attracted to the brightly colored bracelets, so that's how I make them. Bright. I've started one that is pink, lime green and bright blue. Once it's completed, it will be added to my store. You can buy the hot pink/purple bracelet now. 

I think that's all I have for now. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. They go by way too fast. 

...until next time...

-Sam

NEW PROJECT: Child's Lap Desk

Like I said in my last post, my new project for 2014 is vinyl. 

I'm so in love with vinyl and my Silhouette. 

I feel like lettering everything. EVERYTHING.

I actually thought about putting some sort of pattern on the the ceiling fan blades. Of course, I didn't mention this to the husband because I'm pretty sure he would look at me like I have 5 eyeballs. However, I'm still thinking that's not a bad idea (the ceiling fan, not the eyeballs.)

This particular project is not my first project with my Silhouette. I've lettered my sign I use at the craft shows, I gave away a monogram, made a coaster...

...but this is the first that I blogged about.

I saw this lap desk at Five and Below. If you've never been to one of these stores, I highly recommend that you go. It's kinda like Target. You can't not buy anything while you are there. They have pretty cool stuff and it's cheap. That's the best part!

Anyway, back to the desk. I saw this desk and I was like, "OMG! That would make a perfect gift for Austin!"

Austin is my best friend's little boy. He's adorable and his birthday is coming up.

I loved the amount of blank space on the desk because it was perfect for personalization. I never questioned it once. I had to buy it.  

Austin loves dinosaurs. Then again, what little boy doesn't? I found this dingbat font called Ding-o-Saurs and the name font is Poplar Standard. 

Perfect! 

I can't wait to give it to him because I already know he loves it! He saw it on Facebook and he claimed it before he knew it was his. Smart kid. 

I really hope Five and Below keeps stocking these desks because I'm hoping they are going to be a hit. Plus, it was fun to design!

...until next time...

-Sam

Oh, Just Some Things...

What a crazy year it has been for Just Darlin'. I started in 2010 making just cards and now I've expanded and continue to try new things!

This year's new venture is...

VINYL!!

I can't wait to start my first project which is going to be applying a doily decal to a small round table that I have just sitting in the corner. It needs a little sprucing up. I can't wait to get some vinyl, use my brand new Silhouette Cameo, and write a tutorial for you! 

Also, I've updated some of my crafty goals. I renamed the page to "Twelve" because I completed some of my goals that I set for last year. Go me!!

I hope everyone of you had a great Christmas and New Year! 

...and if you stuck in this horrible, frigid and unforgiving winter weather - stay warms!

...until next time...

-Sam